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Your 2017 in Review: 17 Questions

I don’t know about y’all, but my 2017 was all kinds of shitty. So, moving forward into 2018, I’m gonna try and focus on some of the good things about the past year, and I invite you to do the same and share. Answer as many or as few as you'd like.

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?
02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?
03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?
05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)
06. Favorite meme of 2017? (Pic please!)
07. Your favorite catch phrase of 2017?
08. What news story got you right in the feels in 2017? (Link please!)
09. Favorite noms of 2017? (snack, meal, restaurant)
10. What expletive did you enjoy saying the most in 2017?
11. Favorite adult beverage of 2017?
12. What great new snack did you discover this year?
13. Favorite guilty pleasure of 2017?
14. Favorite moment of nostalgia you experienced in 2017?
15. When did you comfort someone who needed it in 2017?
16. Who is someone that comforted you in 2017?
17. What’s the most beautiful thing you saw in 2017?

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?
Björk. It's almost always Björk. I should probably say some political figure but in terms of the person I most want to emulate, most value as a public figure, and am most impressed by it's Björk.

And in my personal life, my mother.

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017? When 18 of my students in my legal prison education program graduated with reentry plans.

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
Eureka, CA.

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017? At my cousin's wedding.

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general) I coordinated egal clinics for the first time ever to two native tribes and did legal services, with my coworkers and volunteers, for about 100 people.

06. Favorite meme of 2017? (Pic please!) Vine compilations.

07. Your favorite catch phrase of 2017? "I tried and therefore no one can criticize me." It's old, but I used it a lot this year.

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
Yellowstone National Park - amazing!

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?
Tori concerts in Ann Arbor, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)
My partner and I improved our backyard with an extensive renovation and much more importantly - the life of our dog Jada (9 years) who we rescued from a shelter and shower with loves and walks and car rides and playtime and a safe and comfortable home in which to live out her golden years (what a love, she is).

10. What expletive did you enjoy saying the most in 2017?
FUCK!

15. When did you comfort someone who needed it in 2017? 16. Who is someone that comforted you in 2017?
A very dear friend has been going through a terrible slow roll divorce all year. I've had an incredibly difficult year with work and self-esteem issues. We've been a constant source of support and comfort to each other all year long.

17. What’s the most beautiful thing you saw in 2017?
I feel like I've observed a lot more ugly this year than beauty... which says as much about me and my attitude as it does about the world around me. Yellowstone really is beautiful though. Do you know buffalo lay on their backs and roll around scratching themselves in dirt piles? It's incredibly beautiful and silly and wonderful to watch.

Oh god, me too! Except I cannot stand Guy Fieri and the bf and I mostly hate-watch it and add our own commentary. Now when we go out for lunch I catch myself saying ridiculous things like, "This hummus is the stuff they use for mortar on all the buildings in Flavortown." If you need a chuckle you might enjoy this.

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?
I don't think I admire a particular, specific person but this year has been quite a wild ride, so I admire all those in the middle of it and still standing strong

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?
When I landed an webdesign assignment for the Amsterdam University

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
Lake District, UK

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?
loreena mckennitt concert

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)
My part time job situation vs my freelance work

06. Favorite meme of 2017? (Pic please!)
x

07. Your favorite catch phrase of 2017?
x

08. What news story got you right in the feels in 2017? (Link please!)
The kidnapping (and murder) of a Dutch girl

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?
HILLARY CLINTON. God damn. I don't care what you think about her, she handled one of the most epic career failures of all time with stoicism and class.

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?
I'm saying it right now. I've been saying it since July. It's all work-related - I've undertaken the biggest project of my year and the hours are horrible, but it's fun. And I think I'm doing a kick-ass job.

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
Germany.

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?
Every time a woman spoke out publicly against her abuser.

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)
I've been more thoughtful and measured in the way I debate politics with people with whom I disagree. I ask them a lot of questions to try to understand how they arrive at their views, but also as a way to get them to actually think through their views instead of just spewing them. I don't know that it's changed anything for the good, other than it makes it easier to discuss (with some people).

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?
----Uma Thurman. She’s so measured.

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?
----I had a student observer placed in my classroom because I was told I offered the best environment and the best classroom to emulate. I was told that my student evaluations are the highest by far in the department. Oh shucks!

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
----Madrid Spain

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?
----Election day 2017, when stories of the oppressed beating their oppressor were the headlines.

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)
----After 25 of being a vegetarian, I went vegan. I’m really working on being present.

07. Your favorite catch phrase of 2017?
-----On my terms!

12. What great new snack did you discover this year?
-----So many vegan yums. But try putting cinnamon on hummus! It’s delicious!

I started this survey last year and it was more entertainment heavy. So I split it up this year and edited it into an entertainment version and this more positive, introspective, personal version that I posted here. I also posted this survey on my social media and two other message boards I frequent, and @forumz is by far the most positive and in tune with the spirit of this whole thing. I really need to drop by here more often. Seriously great responses, y'all. I'm looking forward to seeing more people share, and I'm still working on mine, but will post it soon.

Probably my husband. He really is incredibly intelligent and wise, and so sweet.

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?

I tend not to say that, because the one thing I'm apparently good at is being right, but it's not like I've achieved anything personally satisfying because of it.
Maybe when I finished a 60 pages short novel, when I wrote another song and drew a better illustration. I know I can do awesome stuff and I try to acknowledge it, but there's always that voice in my head that tones it down.

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?

Moaßl wasserfall My one and only temple. All of Pfitsch valley. I'm so happy I could go back there after 19 years.

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?

At the Tori Amos show in Milan and at my husband's book presentation that was really fun and full of music!

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)

I kept studying (drawing, writing, languages, music), I tried to raise awareness about the garbage pollution in my area through my newspaper, I tried to take care of my health, to eat healthy, to be a good friend.

06. Favorite meme of 2017? (Pic please!)

07. Your favorite catch phrase of 2017?

This is the water, and this is the well, drink full and descend. The horse is the white of the eye, and the dark within.

08. What news story got you right in the feels in 2017? (Link please!)

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?All the women who #metoo

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?When I realized I have truly given up on my crush whom I pursued doggedly for close to a decade and turned the attention to developing myself; goes hand in hand with when I finally accepted myself and don't give a fig how others see me. Also when I resigned without having found a job first! And did finally land a better one.

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?The new workplace

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?All the events mentioned above.

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)Finding a job I love, reading up on change management.

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?
Had to google his name, but Anthony Rapp.

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?
Embarrassing confession: when I deleted all the photos and chats and e-mails and stuff of my ex.

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
Iceland, always.

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?
When we were watching Eurovision on a pub, and the guy from Sweden sang.

05. How did you improve something in 2017? (It can be something about you, your family, community, or the world in general)
About me: I left therapy. I had the strength to realize that we were already going nowhere and I was becoming dependent for nothing.

06. Favorite meme of 2017? (Pic please!)
I use the gifs front the "Look what you made me do" video all the time. Does that count?

07. Your favorite catch phrase of 2017?
"Aesthetic and moral values". It comes from something that happened in Argentina some months ago, that a very posh woman bought an apartment and sent an audio message to the seller because she found out that she had neighbors that were playing with the dog in the backyard and "I need a visual break; they look like nice people but I have aesthetic and moral values".

08. What news story got you right in the feels in 2017? (Link please!)
All the news about rescued dogs.

09. Favorite noms of 2017? (snack, meal, restaurant)
Sushi, I guess?

10. What expletive did you enjoy saying the most in 2017?
In Spanish, "me cago en la leche". I shit on the milk. It doesn't make any sense. And "más difícil que cagar en colores", which means "harder that shitting colors".

11. Favorite adult beverage of 2017?
White sweet wine.

12. What great new snack did you discover this year?
None.

13. Favorite guilty pleasure of 2017?
Taylor Swift and all the theories about the LWYMMD video.

14. Favorite moment of nostalgia you experienced in 2017?
I had to think about this one, but I got it: when I bought "Spice" on vinyl. It felt like being 14 again and listening to it for the first time.

15. When did you comfort someone who needed it in 2017?
I am not really good at this, but I have a friend who's been going through some shit (literally, her whole family got seriously sick. Name an illness, and they got it. From heart attack to miastenia) and I tried to be there for her every time she needed to talk.

16. Who is someone that comforted you in 2017?
The dog of my brother.

17. What’s the most beautiful thing you saw in 2017?
The snow. I mean, there was one small snow like ten years ago in Argentina. But in January I went to Iceland and THAT WAS SNOW. It's incredible how something so fragile can be so powerful.

1. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?In my personal life, probably my sister. (I guess I should tell her that.) In the world at large, that’s a tougher one. For now I’m gonna go with Dr. Jordan Peterson. In a world of far left and radical right, he seems to be out there trying to get out a more logical and centrist view.

2. When did you say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome” in 2017?One of the most rewarding things about teaching is that you can often see a marked positive impact you have on a student’s life over the course of a year. But what’s even better is when a student from eight years back makes a special trip to see you at school and remind you of that impact.

3. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?God help me, but it was Texas. Getting to spend some time with my friends in Fort Worth and Austin this summer after nearly a decade apart was pretty amazeballs.

4. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?Saints beating the Redskins in overtime back in November. Who dat!

5. How did you improve something in 2017? I bought a FitBit and made a real effort to move more and eat better. Progress has been slow but steady (down 17lbs), and I’m hoping to continue to make even more progress and healthier changes in 2018.

6. Favorite meme of 2017? Roll Safe has to be #1. Close second is “Right in front of my salad?!”

7. Your favorite catch phrase of 2017?“I’m Pickle Riiiick!” I don’t even care if it got played out quick. I still love it.

8. What news story got you right in the feels in 2017? Zach Anner’s NYC Bagel Quest.

9. Favorite noms of 2017? Cuban pork tamales at this place called ¡Que Rico!

12. What new snack did you discover this year?Coffee Nut M&Ms = Gamechanger.

13. Favorite guilty pleasure of 2017?Casey Neistat’s channel on YouTube. (I was this close to buying a pair of Ray Ban’s last month.)

14. Favorite moment of nostalgia you experienced in 2017?Sneaking a bunch of junkfood into the theater and watching a new Star Wars movie with my friends.

15. When did you comfort someone who needed it in 2017?My dad at my grandfather’s funeral.

16. Who is someone that comforted you in 2017?My ex-gf at the same funeral showed up totally by surprise, and it was such a comfort to see her and have her be there for me. I’m really grateful for that.

17. What’s the most beautiful thing you saw in 2017?Not to be corny, but family. I just really connected with my extended family in a big, positive way this year. And it was beautiful.

01. Who is the person you admired most in 2017?
Honestly, @Kari. During all of this year's fuckery, nobody else was a better model of how I wanted to stand up to and get through it all. Favorite person 2017, again and again.

02. When did you sincerely say to yourself, “I’m fuckin’ awesome!” in 2017?
This is stupid, but looking in the mirror as I approached losing 30lbs in the middle of the year. I've gained *some* of it back this past month (thanks winter! thanks depression!) but I still am pretty happy with myself right now.

03. Where is your favorite place you visited or traveled to in 2017?
Fucking Minneapolis. SINCE WHEN. Beautiful, beautiful autumn though. My favorite.

04. When did you stand up and cheer in 2017?
Tori Amos, St. Paul MN! I'm still in awe over how stupid. fucking. good. that show was. Homegirl did her country proud that night.

05. How did you improve something in 2017?
I found employment ...in food service again. But for the time being, I'm making a lot more than I would have been in my entry level positions which means I'm happy enough for now even if it's not something I ever wanted to do again. That I work with some great folks, in a great part of downtown and get a lot of socialization I sorely missed only makes it easier to swallow I still don't know where I want to be in a year or five.

06. Favorite meme of 2017?
Someone hipper than me should answer this for me because I do not know any memes past like, 2011.

08. What news story got you right in the feels in 2017?
Probably just the onslaught of weather stuff in Houston. It's not that far and wondering if our friends and loved ones would be okay was a trip.

09. Favorite noms of 2017?
Mapo Tofu!

10. What expletive did you enjoy saying the most in 2017?
It's never been my favorite, but... "ah, fuck." It just did it for me this year.

11. Favorite adult beverage of 2017?
Motherfuckin` Slow & Low rye!

12. What great new snack did you discover this year?
Tiny avocados. Embracing the generation, y'all.

13. Favorite guilty pleasure of 2017?
I don't *really* believe in guilty pleasures but to go off of the last question - avocado on toast or bagels. fuck you, it's good.

14. Favorite moment of nostalgia you experienced in 2017?
My partner started playing FINAL FANTASY XI online this past week and it's too old school for him; he keeps texting me asking me how to do things and expressing rage over UI/QOL-related things and I just cannot stop laughing. That game was everything when it came out (15 years ago and change, yikes) and I'll never forget how it taught me how to work and communicate with others (something this very place helped me with in the years that followed!)

15. When did you comfort someone who needed it in 2017?
My mother-in-law's brother died almost overnight and we dropped everything to drive up to his funeral. I never met him and some of the extended family thought I was my partner's brother, but I know being there made a difference.

16. Who is someone that comforted you in 2017?
Cheese shoe-in: Tori Amos. Either by virtue of her strength through her own shitty 2017 or her great record or tour, I can say all of it brought me a lot of comfort. This country can get through this.

17. What’s the most beautiful thing you saw in 2017?
Leaves changing color by the city lakes of Minneapolis. Nothing like it.

'Tis better to bend with the wind than stand tall and be broken. Therein lies hope; therein lies freedom.